Encephalitis: Viral - Treatment

About 25% of patients who have been successfully treated for herpes encephalitis have a relapse. Early diagnosis and treatment may help reduce this risk. Doctors are investigating if a 3-month course of oral valacyclovir will improve remission rates after a patient completes treatment with intravenous acyclovir. Foscarnet (Foscavir),another powerful antiviraldrug known as a pyrophosphate analogue,may be useful for herpes simplex viral strains that have become resistant to acyclovir.

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Investigative Treatments for West Nile Virus and Other Arboviruses

There are no drugs that have been effective for treating arboviruses, including West Nile virus. A number ofdrugs used to treat other virus infections are being investigated. They include ribavirin (an antiviraldrug used to treat influenza), interferon alfa 2a (Roferon-A) and other interferons, immunoglobulin G, and glycyrrhizin (a compound in licorice root with anti-viral activity). Researchers with the U.S. National Institutes of Health are investigating Omr-IgG-am, a blood-derived product that contains WNV antibodies, which can begiven intravenously.

Treatment for Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM)

ADEM is usually treated with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone, apowerful anti-inflammatory drug known as a corticosteroid. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), alone or in combination with methylprednisolone, is also showing promise in certain patients, including children with severe ADEM.

Recombinant erythropoietin epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit, AraNESP), a genetically engineered drug that stimulates the production of red blood cells, may also help protect the brain.Experimental work suggests it may be helpful for ADEM patients.